Hand brake for railway cars



vSept, 4, 1928.

S. B. HASELTINE HAND BRAKE Fox RAILWAY CARS Filed Oct. 20. 1923 Patented Sept. 4, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

STACY B. HASELTINE, F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO W. H. MINER, INC., .A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

HAND BRAKE FOR RAILWAY CARS.

Application led October 20, 1923.

This invention relates to improvements in hand brakes for railway cars.

One object of the invention is to provide a simple and practical hand brake of the ratchet type, wherein means is provided for positively rotating the brake in unwinding as Well as winding direction, whereby the brake may be turned olf to fully release the same.

More specifically an object of the invention is to provide a hand brake of the vertical stati' type, especially adapted for railway cars, wherein means is provided for rotating the staff in reverse directions includinga pair of ratchet wheels lixed to the staff and having the teeth thereof reversely arranged, a pair of pawls coacting respectively with said ratchet wheels, means for holding either of said pawls in inoperative position and a manually controlled lever for moving the operative pawl into and out of engagement with the ratchet wheel.

In the drawing forming a part of this speciiication, Figure 1 is a side elevational view of my improved brake, showing the same as applied to the end wall of the car, the end wall being broken away and in vertical section. Figure 2 is a vertical, sectional view` of the upper portion of the mechanism, illustrated in Figure 1. And Figure 3 is a horizontal, sectional view corresponding substantially to the line 3 3 of Figure 2.

In said drawing, denotes the end wall of a car such as a gondola, 11 the usual platform or step for the brakeman, and 12 the brake stad. As is well understood in the art, the vertical brake staff usually has a drum at the bottom thereof around which the chain leading to the brake beam winds. As is also customary the brake stati1 is provided with a ratchet 13 adjacent the platform 11 and with which is adapted to cooperate a foot controlled locking dog 14.

The improved brake mechanism, as shown, comprises, broadly, a pair of ratchet wheels A and B on the brake staff; a housing C oscillatable about the staff; a slide D within the housing; a pair of spring pressed pawls E and F reciproeally mounted in the slide; a pair of cam members GMG coacting with the respective pawls; a crank H for operating the cams; and an operating lever J pivotally mounted in the housing.

In carrying out my invention, I provide Serial No. 669,660.

a suitable bearing bracket 15 near the upper end of the staii' 12, said bracket being secured in any suitable manner, preferably by rivets to the wall 10 of the car and provided with a bearing for the stall". Above the bracket 15, the staif 12 is provided with a squared section 16 on which the ratchet wheels A and B are mounted, the latter being provided with square openings iitting the square section of the shaft so that the wheels are rotatable therewith. As clearly shown in Figure 1, the cylindrical portion of the shaft extends a short distance above the bracket 15.

The ratchet wheels A and B are each provided with peripheral teeth 17, the teeth of the wheel A being reversely arranged to the teeth of the wheel B. The ratchet wheels A and B are each also provided with a hub member projecting from one side thereof, the hub member 18 of the ratchet member A being shorter than the hub member 19 of the ratchet member B. 'lo maintain the ratchet members A and B in proper spaced relation, a collar 20 is interposed between the same, the latter being also provided with a square opening fitting the squared portion of the statt. Upon reference to Figure 2 it will be noted that when the parts are assembled on the staff, the hub 18 of the ratchet wheel A extends upwardly while the hub 19 of the ratchet wheel B extends downwardly, the latter being secured to the staff 12 by a cotter pin extending transversely through the hub and the staif. In this connection, it will be noted that the cylindrical portion of the stail 12 extends a short distance within the hub 19, the lower end of the latter being properly recessed to receive the same.

The housing C, which Serves as a weather protecting casing or shield for the ratchet mechanism, is of box-like form having spaced side walls 21-21, top and bottom walls and 23 and a curved end wall 24, the housing being` open at the opposite end. Adjacent the curved end wall 24, the top of the housing provided with a cylindrical bearing projetion 25 adapted to receive the 1nub 18 of the ratchet wheel A. The top wall of the bearing projection 25 is provided on the interior thereof` with a downwardly extending boss 2G bearing on the upper end of the hub 18, thereby preventing endwise movement of the ratchet wheels. The lower wall 23 of the housing is provided with a bearing opening 125 adapted to receive the hub 19 of the ratchet member B. As clearly shown in Figure 3, the side walls 2l at the open end of the housing are offset outwardly and are adapted to receive the end of the lever J therebetween and the upper and lower Walls 22 and 23 terminate short of the side walls at thc open end of the housing to provide proper clearance for the lever J.

The slide D is of hollow box-like form having spaced top and bottom walls 27-27, side walls 28-28 and an end wall 29. Midway between the top and bottom walls, the slide member D is provided with transversely extending webs 30 and 3l, thereby providing upper and lower guideways adapted to accommodate the pawls E and F respectively. The web 3i is formed inte-- gral with the end wall of the slide and the web 30 is spaced therefrom a sufficient distance to accommodate the .shaft of the crank member H. One of the side walls .28 of the slide has an opening therein adapted to pivotally accommodate a cylindrical spring iousing 32 provided with a socket 'i1 he slide D is of such a height as to tit between the upper and lower walls 22 and 23 of the housing and is guided for sliding movement within the housing by longitudinal ribs 34 on the side walls of the housing, there being preferably two of such ribs on each side wall.

The pawls E and F are of like construetion, each being in the form of a block slidably mounted in one of the guideways of the slide D. Each of the pawls is provided with a. central bore open at the rear end and adapted to receive a spring 86 bearing on the rear wall 29 of the slide. The opposite sides of each pawl E and F are cut away as indicated at 37, thereby providing vertically extending shoulders 38 at the rear end thereof. At the forward end, each pawl is provided with a tooth 39 adapted to coact with one of the ratchet wheels, the tooth of the pawi E being reversely arranged to the tooth of the pawl F, the arrangement being such that when the awl E is in engagement with the ratchet wheel A, the staff will be rotated in a counter clockwise direction.

The crank H is made in one piece and comprises a shaft 40, an operating lever arm 4l and a flanged head 42 having a cylindrical bearing portion 43 thereon journaled in a bearing opening in the corresponding side wall of the slide D. The central portion of the shaft is of square cross section, extending through a squared opening in the spring housing 3Q, which is of cylindrical cross section and is journaled in the other side wall of the slide D. At the free end, the shaft 40 is threaded and provided with a flanged cap 44 preferably secured thereto by means of a transversely extending cotter pin. A spring 45 is interposed under some initial compression between the bottom wall of the socket 33 and the flanged end of the cap, thereby yieldingly maintaining the flange of the head 42 in contact with the corresponding side wall of the slide. Un the inner face of the flange of the head 42 are provided a pair of radially disposed notches 46 adapted to coact with a lug 47 on the side Wall of the housing, the notches being spaced 90O apart. t will be seen that means is thus provided for retaining the shaft in two adjusted positions approximately 90O apart.

The cam members G-G are of like construction, each being preferably in the form of an oval plate provided with a central square opening adapted to receive the square portions of the shaft so that the same will be rotated with the shaft. The cam members Gr are disposed on opposite sides of the pawls and are accommodated in the cnt away portions thereof so as to have free rotary movement. The upper ends of the cam members are adapted to engage with the shoulders 38 of 'the pawl E and the lower' ends of the same are adapted to engage with the corresponding shoulders 38 of the pawl F, thereby serving to retain either of the pawl members in retracted position within the slide D. ln this connection, it is pointed out that when the cam members are in the position shown in the drawing, the upper ends thereof coact with the pawl E to hold the saine retracted within the slide, the pawl F being free to move and being yieldingly held in its outern most position by the corresponding spring 36. lt will be evident that with the slide in the position shown in Figure 2, the pawl E will be held clear of the upper ratchet Wheel and the pawl F will be held in yielding engagement with the ratchet wheel B, whereby upon oscillation of the housing about the axis of the staff, the latter will be rotated intermittently in a. clockwise direction, as seen in Figure 3.

The lever J is pivotally connected to the housing to swing in a vertical piane, thc same being provided with a hea-d 48 disposed between the side walls 2l of the housing and pivotally connected thereto by a pivot bolt 494 The head 48 is cut away to provide a forked portion 50, the side members of which are adapted to straddle the slide D. The inner faces of the side members of the forked portion are provided with guide slots 5l, each having a curved section eccentric with the pivot bolt 48 and a straight section approximately parallel to the handle and adapted to slidingly receive a pin project-- ing from the corresponding side of the slide D and formed integral therewith. The le ver is thus connected to the side to reciprocate the same. As the lever is Oscillated vertically, the slide will be moved to and fro il fa lia) as the pins pass along the eccentric portions ot the slots in the handle J. To permit the necessary reciprocating movement ot' the slide D, the opposite side walls 2l of the housing are provided with alined opening: adapted to respectively acconnnoda-te the head Ll2 ot the crank Ll and the cylindrical spring housing` 32 at the opposite side ot the slide D Vt'or reciprocating movement.

ln the operation ot my improved hand brake. the handle .l is raised troni the position shown in Figure l to that shown in Fig-- ure 2. thereby advancing the slide toward the statt and et'tecting engagement ot one of the pawls l. or li to the corresponding ratchet wheel. the other pawl being held in retracted position by the cani members (l. llpon oscillation of the handle .i in a horizontal plane about the axis oi' the statt', Ithe latter will be rotated in either a clockwise er contraclockwise direction, depending upon which pawl is in operative position. Vlt will be evident that during this time the cani members (l are retained in position by en j 'fagement of one oi' the notches` on the head Ll2 with the lug 4.7 on the guide l). To effect rotation oi' the s'atl" in a reverse direction the. crank ll is rotated through an arch ot whiru is in engagement with the core ponding ratchet member and withdrawing the same to inoilieratire position and permitting ihf'- other pawl to be projected into engagement with the corresponding ratchet wheel. During thi.: rotation ot the crank, as will be vevident, the other notch on the head therro' will be brought into registration with the lug on the slide to retain the crank in position. ln this connection. it vill be noted that rndwise movement ot the shaft. ot the crank peiinitted der to the yielding`l f. yftion et the spring l5. therel y permittii'ig the disengagement ot either oi the noti" lli and the lug 4T. When the handle .l il; a in oscillal'cvfl about the stall l2, the latter a ill berotated in direction reverse to that .inst described It will be evident that in turning the ,'itatl in one direction. the lnzske chain will be wound upon drum am when il is rotated in the rever-:e direction. l

lillx will be unwound. thereby pe'nutting the brake to be turned otl to l'ully release dog il is disengaged Ytrom the 13 during the unwinding operation. tract the slide D and thereby brine` botn pawls to an inoi'ierative position. it is merely necessary to swing the handle .troni the position shown in Figure 2 to that shown in Figure l. lt will be evident that although the handle .l may be manually moved troni the position shown in Figure 2 to that shown in Figure l. this is not necessary because the weight of the lever will cause the saine to drop by gravity when released by the operator.

l have herein shown and described what l now consider the preferred manner ot ear rying out my invention but the same is merely illustrativi and l contemplate all changes and modifications that come within the scope ot' the claims appended hereto.

l claim:

i. ln a brake, the combination with rotatable chain tightening membe's; ot a pair ot ratchet wheels fixed to said members, said wheels having reversely arranged teeth; a lever operated slide; a pair of spring pressed paWls on said slide; and means tor aitcrnatei)Y holding either ot said pawls in inoperative position.

2. In a brake, the combination with a rotatable chain tightening member; ot ratchet mears 'or rotating said member alternately in opposite directions including a :'evrr operated slide and alternately operative spring pressed pawl means mounted on said slide.

3. ln a brake, the combination With rotatable brake tightening means; ot' operatingT means therefor, including a lever mounted tor oscillating movement about the axis ot' rotation of said tightening means and mova ile to operative and inoperative positions. and a pair ot separate, coacting intermittent grip means on said lever and tightening n'ieans, said intermittent grip means being selectively operable for rotating said tightening means in opposite directions, engagement ot said grip means being controlled b v the position ot' said lever.

4. ln a brake, the combination with :i rotz'atable shatt for tightening the brakes; of selectively operable intermittent grip means tor rotating said shaft in one direction to tighten the brakes and in a reverse direction to slaeken the brakes, said grip means being bodily movable to free said shalt.

ln a brake oi' the vertical stati type, the combination with a rotatable vertical stall having pair oi ratchet wheels at the top thereoi -otatable in unison therewith, the teeth ot said wheels being reversely a1'- ranged; a spring operated pawl coacting vxitl each wheel; a slide on which said pawls are movably mounted; means on said slide for holding either ot' said pawls in inoperative position; and an operating lever engag ino' said slide tor moving the operative pawl ii o engagement with the corresponding ratchet, wheel.

(S. ln a brake ot the vertical staff type, the con'ibination with a rotatable vertical stall having a pair of ratchet wheels at the upper end thereof, said wheels having the teeth thereot re versely arranged; a housing oseillatable about said statt; a lever for oscillating said housing, said lever being pivotally connected to the housing to Swing in a vertical piane; a slide reciprocally mounted Within the housing and adapted to be moved toward and away from the statt hy said lever; a pair of spring pressed pawls reciprocaliy mounted in the slide and adapte-l to coact respectivelyv with Saiil ratchet Wheels, and manuali?,Y operated means mounted on Saiil Slii'ie adapted to engage Said pawls to move either ot the aame to inoperative position and retain it in that position.

7. in a hraln, the cznihination with a rotatahle shai't having oppositely dispofyml ratei et means rotatable in unison therewith; ot' ay pair ot spring actuated pawls each cooperable with said ratchet means in one direction; a movable member on which said pawls are movahly mounted; means on said member for holdinggr either of Said pawls in inoperative position; and means coacting with said pawls for rotating said shaft in either direction.

8. In a brake, the combination with a rotatable brake tightening means; of operating means movable to operative and inoperative posi tions; and ratchet mechanism controlled by the movement of said operating means. said ratchet mechanism being operable to eiiloct rotation ot' Said tightening means in opposite directions.

In 'ignesf-i that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name this 12th day oi" October. 1923.

STACY B. HASELTINE. 

